4 Environmental Benefits Of A Vegetarian / Vegan Diet

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Thanks to a growing awareness of the health benefits that accrue from a plant-based diet, we are witnessing a surge in the popularity of veganism across Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, and Greater Toronto Area.  Going beyond the idea of munching upon healthy options such as a veggie burger or a veggie pizza, the creed of veganism must also be seen in the light of its contribution to a better world and environment – lesser number of animals killed for food and a less polluted environment.

You’ll be able to connect the dots when you see that slightly more than half the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are the handiwork of the animal agriculture sector.  It’s no wonder then, that scientists are urging people to consume less of animal-based foods such as dairy and meat. By eliminating animal-derived foods in your diet, you can immediately halve your carbon footprint!

But before you rush out to the nearest Veggie Planet Vegetarian Restaurant in Mississauga, Brampton or Vaughan and indulge your taste buds with Indian street food and down a couple of Indian drinks, let’s take a guided tour of the world of good that going vegan does to Mother Earth:

 

Vegetarian / Vegan Means Less Waste

If the world goes vegan, farmers will be raising crops for human consumption rather than for feeding animals. Yes, you read it right, today more food is grown to feed the livestock that is slaughtered for dinner tables in homes and restaurants. Millions of tons of grain and other fodder is being channeled to factory farms to fatten the poultry and livestock that are being raised for the slaughterhouses. Going vegan would mean that human beings have enough food without having to share it with livestock that will ultimately be killed. The next time you order Kaawa nuggets and Kaawa drumstick, remember, you’re actually saving food for the planet!

 

Vegan means Less Land Usage

Did you know that in Latin America, more than 70% of deforestation is attributed to raising livestock? Even more alarming is the fact that animal farming has led to irreversible degradation of close to one-fifth of the world’s grazing lands. A plant-based diet invariably means a drastic reduction in the land requirements for raising food for livestock. This, in turn, means that we have access to more land resources that can be put to better use. 

 

Vegan Means Less Water Usage

With every passing day, freshwater is becoming a scarce resource. In such a scenario, freshwater must be utilized with maturity. Especially since large quantities of water go into quenching the thirst of livestock destined to end up on dining tables. Incidentally, considering the amount of water that livestock consumes in their lifetime, the quantity of water that ultimately goes into the production of a regular beef burger is supposed to be at least ten times more than the quantity required to dish up a soy burger of similar proportions. It has been estimated that around 1000 liters of water are required to produce a kilogram of wheat, the production of a similar quantity of beef would need around of 100,000 liters of water! Now you know where all the water is getting lost whenever someone is digging into a beef burger…Keep this in mind when you get the urge for a quick bite and order the Planet Special Poutine at Veggie Planet.

 

Vegan Means Less Pollution

The major impact of going vegan or vegetarian will be visible on global warming. As far back as 2006 itself, the United Nations had pointed out in a report that comparatively more greenhouse gases are generated by livestock raised for food than all the motor vehicle emissions combined. Going further, manure produced as a byproduct of the livestock industry generates as much as 65% of nitrous oxide with a 300 percent greater warming potential than carbon dioxide.

Animal farming is synonymous with large-scale pollution. Animal farms typically dig up large slurry pits for gathering the animal wastes and feces, which ultimately seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater. Being herbivores and grass-consumers, livestock is also acknowledged as the single largest group of methane-emitters contributing to global warming. When you go vegan, you are automatically contributing less pollution to the world.

 

In Conclusion

The primary intention that drives veganism is about causing as little harm and pain as is humanly possible. Since it would be impossible to eliminate harm and pain totally, veganism provides us an opportunity to follow an ethical lifestyle to the extent possible, and in the process leave our planet a better place for our children and future generations.

Fortunately for those who are fascinated by the concept of veganism and wish to enjoy its benefits, there are a variety of vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, and Greater Toronto Area, with some of them specializing in Indian dishes.

These restaurants are tweaking traditional Indian recipes to fit a global palate. The result is a mouth-watering array of Indian street foods that drip with the trademark Indian tastes yet brimming with the health associated with a clean vegan diet.

Veggie Planet has pioneered the concept of Indian vegan street foods to the level of an art.  Veggie Planet is a source of a unique fusion of Indo western and plant-based best Vegetarian and Vegan food options serving in Mississauga, Ontario. We offer a unique fusion of Pizzas, Burgers, Soy-based Nuggets and Drumstick, delicious and best Indian street food, a unique variety of Indian Drinks, Ice cream & variety of Kulfies and more to come.

Want to try something spicy and sweet as well as salty? Veggie Planet has BBQ Nuggets! Want something healthy to drink with your meal? Try Falooda, Mango Shake! No meal is complete without sweets or ice cream. Try our unique Kulfi collection sprinkled with delicious toppings. e.g. Paan Kulfi, Malai Kulfi, and few other variations.

 

Visit Veggie Planet Today

If you’re in Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke, or the Greater Toronto Area, remember there’s Veggie Planet Naanza Pizza waiting for your palate pleasure! Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via the website (https://veggieplanet.ca) and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and GTA. For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 Davand Dr. Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

Veggie Planet Reveals Eight Great Protein Sources For Vegans and Vegetarians

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If you’re contemplating going vegan or vegetarian in Mississauga, Brampton, and GTA but worried about possible protein deficiencies in your diet, relax – Veggie Planet got you covered. While proteins are essential for building muscle strength, it’s also true that meat foods do score over plant foods in terms of protein content. Fortunately, there’s ample evidence to show that our nutritional requirements can be met by consuming certain protein-rich foods that are purely vegetarian or vegan. But for that to happen, we need to move beyond the conventional veggie pizza or veggie burger. Just as with most other things, we have certain plant-based foods that have a relatively higher protein content. By consuming these vegan and vegetarian foods, we can compensate our body for the potential protein deficiencies that may arise from shunning a non-vegetarian diet.

When you walk into the Veggie Planet Indian street food restaurant in Mississauga you will see the superstars of plant-based foods that are rich in protein with excellent taste!

Green Peas:

Who doesn’t love green peas?  A staple side dish on most dining tables, those little, round, pellet-like vegetables are a great combination of style and nutrition. A cup (approximately 240 ml) of cooked green peas serves up as much as 9 grams of protein, which measures up to the nutrition acquired from drinking a cup of cow milk. What’s more, green peas also provide our body with generous quantities of essential minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, phosphorus, and magnesium.  Green peas are also strong on B vitamin content. Make a quick detour to your neighborhood Veggieplanet for a delightful taste festival with green peas coupled with Kaawa nuggets and Kaawa drumstick to see your protein intake zoom!

Soy Milk:

For vegans especially, cow milk is an absolute no-no. But avoiding animal-milk also means depriving ourselves of a vital protein source. Fortunately for us, there’s a solution in the form of soy milk. Derived from soybeans, soy milk is a superb alternative for those of us who want the goodness and taste of milk in our daily diets. A cup of soy milk contains 7 grams of protein and liberal doses of calcium apart from vitamins D and B12. Abundantly available on supermarket shelves, soy milk can either be drunk on its own or used as an ingredient in a variety of Indian drinks and dishes.

Lentils

Lentils are a staple in Indian cuisine and you can literally smell their delicious aroma when you enter an Indian street food restaurant. Lentils are versatile in that they can be added to many a dish, right from soups to salads. A powerhouse of proteins, each cup (approximately 240 ml) of cooked lentils delivers almost 18 grams of protein. They are also high in fiber content and can provide nearly half our daily recommended intake of fiber. Lentils are also rich in folic acid, iron and manganese, anti-oxidants. Lentils also promote the good bacteria in the colon and thus contribute to better digestion and a healthier gut.

Beans and chickpeas

Beans, of all kinds, are high on protein content. So, whether it’s kidney beans, pinto beans or black beans, you can be sure that your protein requirements are taken care of when you’re consuming beans in ample quantities. Similarly, chickpeas are yet another legume-source of proteins for vegans and vegetarian food aficionados. Cooked beans, as well as chickpeas, deliver as much as 15 grams of protein per cup (approximately 240 ml). These legumes are also brimming with nutrients ranging from folic acid, complex carbs, iron, phosphorus, fiber, and many plant compounds. Beans and chickpeas can be cooked in a variety of ways. Indian cuisine is replete with recipes that are awesome in taste and easy to cook.

Nuts and seeds:

The good thing about nuts and seeds is that you don’t have to cook them. You can eat them as is or use them as an ingredient in other dishes. Small in size but big on taste and protein content, nuts and their derivatives are a veritable storehouse of essential nutrients too. Munch a handful of nuts from time to time to time during the course of your day, and ensure your daily dose of fiber, healthy fats, iron, phosphorus, calcium, selenium, vitamins E and B, and antioxidants too. Ideally, you should consume nuts and seeds, raw because roasting or blanching them strips them of their nutritional contents.

Fruits and vegetables:

Contrary to popular belief, not all fruits and vegetables are deficient in protein. There do exist some varieties that are high on protein and can provide us with sufficient quantities of nutrition. Broccoli, asparagus, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and artichokes are the different vegetables that you can rely upon to dish out your body’s protein requirements. A cup of any of these cooked vegetables contains about 5 grams of protein.

Similarly, we have fresh fruits and berries that are rich in protein content. For example, bananas, nectarines, guava, mulberry, blackberry, cherimoya contain around 5 grams of protein per serving. Including these fruits and vegetables in your daily diet will help take care of your protein requirements.

In recent times there are also many new and unconventional food sources making their way into Indian cuisines, especially in localities such as Brampton, Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area – GTA. Ingredients like tofu, tempeh, edamame, and seitan have made their way from the far-east, and are now a regular choice of vegan and vegetarian food lovers. These foods are high on protein and many a time used as a substitute for meat.

Seitan:

Also known as wheat meat, seitan is made from the principal protein in wheat – gluten. When cooked, its look and texture have an uncanny resemblance to meat. 100 grams of cooked seitan provides about 25 grams of protein, making it the richest source of plant protein. Seitan can be cooked in many ways – sautéed, grilled or pan-fried. It is easily available in health food stores. People with gluten sensitivity should avoid seitan.

Tofu, Edamame, Tempeh:

Derived from soybean which is rich in protein, Tofu, edamame, and tempeh are all derived from soybean which is rich in protein. The manufacturing methods differ and so does the taste of each of these soybean products. Tofu is made from bean curds in a process that is similar to the one used for making cheeses, it does not have any distinctive taste and acquires the cooking flavors of the recipe. Similarly, tempeh can also be used in naanza, soups, burgers and other recipes such as the planet special poutine.

Edamame is basically immature soybeans that are sweet to taste with a hint of grass. They must be boiled or steamed before eating them whole or in soups.

Visit Veggie Planet Today

If you’re in Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke, and the rest of Greater Toronto Area, remember there’s Veggie Planet Naanza waiting for your palate pleasure! Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via the website (https://veggieplanet.ca) and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and GTA.

For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 Davand Dr. Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

Benefits Of Raising Kids The Vegetarian/Vegan Way

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Vegetarianism is fast becoming an option for many families across Toronto, Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada and the world. While going vegetarian or vegan is a healthy proposition, many parents have concerns on the health implications over the physical and mental implications of a non-meat diet composed of vegetables,  veggie burger or veggie pizza for growing children. If you too are one such doubting Thomas, here’s the low-down on the benefits of introducing your children to the pleasures and benefits of Indian street food whose mainstay are vegetarian foods and vegan diets.

To begin this month’s article, it has been seen that consuming a vegetarian or vegan diet gives substantial health advantages to kids in comparison to those raised on a typical meat-rich diet. Exposing your growing children to these benefits will give them a head start in the healthy lifestyle stakes. Vegetarian diets are rich in fiber, short on saturated fat, brimming with essential minerals and vitamins. They are also bursting with plant protein and thus absolutely cholesterol-free.

Thanks to the abundance of processed meat-based foods, teenage obesity has become a fact of life today. Adolescents brought up as vegetarians, are seen to be effortlessly maintaining their BMIs. They also suffer less from typical teenage problems such as acne and gastro problems associated with meat-based foods. Coming to the specifics, lower incidence of a life-threatening diseases such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, is seen in vegetarians than in meat-eaters.

Advantages of growing up vegetarian and vegan

By switching over to a vegetarian diet, your children automatically get the benefits associated with high-fiber foods. Expect your children to have better digestion and a higher metabolic rate. Their bodies are also better positioned to expel toxins and wastes produced during the metabolic processes. On a vegetarian diet, your kids will also maintain healthy fluid levels in their bodies. With a vegetarian diet, you can also expect your children’s eyes to be healthier and their eyesight sharper.  The net result is a healthy body that excels in getting the best out of life.

Nutrition apart, fatty acids are low in vegetarian food making it easier to absorb. This in turn contributes to maintaining a stable flow of blood sugar in the body – keeping diabetes at arms-length. Consumers of non-vegetarian fast foods are observed to have blood sugar levels that fluctuate erratically the moment they finish eating any meat-based fast food. It goes without saying that vegetarian fast foods that your friendly neighborhood Veggie Planet Indian street food restaurant in Mississauga, Brampton and the GTA dishes up, are a good option to head out to whenever your kids crave a quick bite.

It’s not just the body but also your child’s mind that benefits from going vegetarian early in life. Studies have shown that people who are vegetarians or vegans perform better on mood profile and depression tests. Further, the organic cultivation of vegetables is further adding to the health benefits that your children will enjoy when they adopt a vegetarian diet. All these factors are responsible for developing a positive outlook in your child towards life in general.

Summing up, since they are a storehouse of plant and grain-based ingredients, vegetarian fast foods are good for growing children because they get their supply of essential vitamins like C, E, and folic acid. And then, since vegetarian fast foods are high on magnesium, phytochemicals and unsaturated fats, your children will have lower cholesterol levels of cholesterol and consequently their blood pressure levels are also at the proper levels.

Introducing your kids to vegetarian In Mississauga, Brampton, and the GTA

The first problem that parents face while introducing their kids to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is the taste factor. It’s best to understand that taste is an acquired sensibility and with time and constant exposure, our taste buds learn to like the food they come across. But kids being kids, you will have to put on your innovative cap to come up with attractive recipes that are vegetarian but high on taste factor.

For example, oat waffles topped with maple syrup or fruit are a good breakfast option for budding vegan kids. Similarly, a lentil loaf lunch would have your kids literally begging you for seconds. What’s more, it is dripping with proteins and fiber, which are very essential for health and wellness. Similarly, hummus is a great option to introduce your kids to the benefits of vegetarian food. Kawa Nuggets and Kawa Drumstick serve at Veggie Planet are a tasty yet healthy option that you can explore along with your children. As you will see moving forward that your kids will gradually get used to vegetarian dishes and actually begin to prefer them when the health benefits begin to show up.

 

As a parent bringing up your kids the vegan way, you must expect and prepare your children to face many social challenge too. This is because meat-eating families are still the norm rather than the exception. Especially when they are attending birthday parties and get-togethers where non-vegetarian food is on the menu, it makes sense to call up the hosts in advance and appraise them of your child’s preferences. It will give the hosts sufficient time to include veggie options such as veggie burgers, tofu crackers, vegan cakes, Naanza and Indian drinks such as Jal-jeera. Better still, there are specialty vegetarian fast food outlets such as Veggie Planet in Mississauga where your kids can tuck into the Planet Special Poutine, to their hearts’ content.

Another area where your kids are likely to face challenges is during the lunch break at the school cafeteria. Get together with other parents in the locality, who share similar concerns, and try to persuade the school authorities on including a couple of vegetarian and vegan options in the menu.

Talking about Indian vegetarian fast-food restaurants, the good thing about them is that they have successfully reinvented themselves for a global clientele. Your kids don’t have to forego taste for the sake of a healthy lifestyle. If you live in Mississauga, Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area, or passing through with your kids, step in for a quick bite of heavenly Naanza at Veggie Planet!

Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via the website (https://veggieplanet.ca) and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and Greater Toronto Area.

For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 Davand Dr. Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.

Myths And Truths About Vegetarian Fast Foods

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Veggie Planet Indian Street Food Mississauga and Brampton 6

The debate over food choices is an old one. With the growing interest and curiosity about vegetarian food, especially Indian food in recent times, votaries of non-vegetarian foods are coming up with theories that show vegetarian food in a bad light. For example, it is commonly believed that vegetarian food is adequate for physically active people. How much truth do such assumptions hold? Let’s do a reality check on some of the most common allegations tossed at vegetarian food. Later on, we’ll also find out how to enjoy Indian street food in Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke, and Greater Toronto Area even as we beat the health concerns associated with them.

 

Myth 1: Vegetarian Food Is Low On Protein.

Truth 1: Gone are the days when animal-protein was considered superior and essential for our health and physical development. Research has proved that plant-based food has sufficient protein for human requirements. Instead of eggs, you can try out protein-rich vegetarian food sources such as beans, lentils, tofu, cereals, and whole-grain bread. What’s more, all these foods are ideal accompaniments in a variety of Indian vegetarian fast food recipes such as Kawa Nuggets and Kawa Drumstick that are tasty and exciting to try out.

 

Myth 2: Vegetarians Suffer From Iron Deficiency.

Truth 2: Yet another myth perpetuated about vegetarian foods, which has been shattered in recent times. Iron deficiency is a condition that is caused by a number of factors and can afflict vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. In fact, some vegetarian foods like beans, tofu, and spinach are super-rich sources of iron. So, bite into your veggie burger in Brampton or Mississauga and stop worrying about iron deficiency.

 

Myth 3: Vegetarian Food Is Low On Energy.

Truth 3: A doubt that plays on the minds of athletes, sportspersons and bodybuilders. Many famous sports personalities are endorsing the benefits of vegetarian foods today. In fact, they prefer vegan/vegetarian food because it is clean and does not pollute the internal workings of our body. A vegetarian diet is rich in protein, vitamins and vital minerals, and more than adequate for most high-energy sporting activities. So, don’t worry unduly if someone tells you that your vegetarian diet is insufficient to meet your energy requirements.

 

Myth 4: Vegetarian Food Is Not Pocket-Friendly.

Truth 4: Well, sorry to disappoint you but vegetarian food is actually more wallet-friendly than non-vegetarian dishes in the Greater Toronto Area. Just check the menu at your local fast food joint and the truth will hit you in the face. In fact, you can buy and eat more veggie pizza for the price that you would normally pay for a meat or chicken dish. The best part is that while you can buy more of vegetarian fare for the amount that you pay for meat-dishes, you will not end up heavier!

 

Myth 5: Vegetarian Food Keeps You Hungry.

Truth 5: Research shows that vegetarian food stays comparatively longer in the human gut and also keeps it fuller. Vegetarian food also helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body, which in turn keeps hunger cravings at bay for longer. Actually, many of us confuse a lighter tummy with hunger. Vegetarian food is actually filling and stays longer in the food canal but since it is lighter than non-vegetarian food, some people tend to interpret it is hunger pangs. And there lies the truth behind this myth.

 

Myth 6: Vegetarian Food Offers fewer Options.

Truth 6: Vegetarian foods are suitable for all kinds of cuisines. So whether it’s Mediterranean or Indian, you’ll discover that every country has a delectable range of vegetarian dishes that are tasty, filling, nutritious and pocket-friendly. Check out the planet special poutine and Naanza whenever you’re in the Mississauga area.


Talking of health benefits that vegetarian foods bring to the table, let’s look at the unique features of Indian vegetarian fast foods:

The raita is a yogurt-based dip that is a common accompaniment to most Indian fast foods. Comprising basically of cucumber and mint, raita is rich in calcium. It takes on the role of mayonnaise in western cuisine. Raita is available in different combinations and can give a unique taste to the food you relish in your favorite Indian vegetarian fast food restaurant.

Similarly, the sauces and chutneys used in Indian cuisine are mostly vegetarian in nature. Coupled with this are a variety of Indian drinks to choose from. You can choose form chaas, flavored buttermilk that comforts the stomach after a delicious and heavy meal. You can also sip a cool glass of kaalajamoon juice that doubles up as a tonic for the digestive system.

Moreover, Indian street foods are low on saturated fats and high on fiber content, making them very health-friendly. If you’re fat-conscious, tandoori-based dishes are a good option as they are baked and not fried. All these qualities make Indian vegetarian foods a great idea to spend time over.

Finally, let us examine the precautions you may need to keep in mind when ordering Indian food. Play safe and stick to tomato-based curries or other vegetables. If you’re a bit too health-conscious, you can always ask the chef to go easy on the ghee or substitute vegetable oil. Brampton or Mississauga, you know that you can enjoy the best of Indian street food without worrying about hygiene and price.

We can clearly see that vegan/vegetarian food is in no way inferior to meat-based foods. In fact, Indian restaurants like Veggie Planet have taken Indian street foods to the next level. The next time you step out for a good time, remember the host of options and experiences that await you in the form of vegetarian food, especially Indian fast foods. Especially for folks staying in and around Brampton and Mississauga, the choices are many and you can either book a place for an intimate get-together with family and friends. You could even schedule a business lunch or a brunch comprising Indian vegetarian foods.

Veggie Planet offers convenient online ordering via website https://veggieplanet.ca and flexible delivery options, including delivery within a 15-kilometer radius available in Mississauga and Greater Toronto Area.

For in-restaurant pickups, Veggie Planet is located at 6985 DavandDr Unit #1, Mississauga, ON L5T 1Y7 and can be reached at (905) 795-7950 for all vegetarian and vegan restaurant menu items.